Arts & Culture
For more than 20 years, Elissa Davis has helped The Jung Center in Houston run smoothly. She started as bookstore manager and librarian and now serves as the Director of Internal Operations. Along the way, she’s seen more than her fair share of website redesigns.
And those redesigns were always a headache. “The previous times were not fun. They were incredibly stressful, time-consuming, and a heavy workload,” Davis recalled.
The Center relied on WordPress, custom coding, and outside contractors. Every update meant an invoice and even simple changes like adding a banner required a long back-and-forth. Staff felt disconnected from their own site as costs kept climbing.
That all changed with Neon Websites.
A Small Nonprofit With a Big Mission
Founded in 1958, The Jung Center offers public classes, lectures, and workshops inspired by the philosophies of Carl Jung. Their programs cover psychology, religion, philosophy, expressive arts, and body practices like Tai Chi and meditation. The Center also houses a gallery, library, and bookstore, making it a true hub for learning and community in Houston.
With so much happening under one roof, their website is a one-stop-shop for folks who want to learn more about their work. And it not only needs to work for website visitors, but it also should be easy to use and update for their staff.
Why Neon Websites Felt Different
The Jung Center first moved to Neon CRM because it was designed for nonprofits. When they learned Neon also offered websites, they were intrigued by the promise of something faster, simpler, and more affordable. Instead of a six-month to year-long slog, Neon Websites promised a refresh in weeks. And instead of complicated coding, the platform offered an intuitive editor that their staff could use themselves.
A Whole New World of Ease
For Davis, stepping into website management felt like unfamiliar territory. Her career at The Jung Center began in books and customer service, not technology, and in the past she relied on outside contractors for even the smallest technology needs. With Neon Websites, that dynamic shifted completely.
Suddenly, she could log in and make updates on her own, add content, adjust layouts, or refresh pages without having to wait on anyone else. What used to feel intimidating quickly became second nature.
The rest of the team shared that same sense of empowerment. The IT Manager now schedules banners ahead of holidays, the development team customizes donation forms for different program areas, and Davis herself admits she enjoys jumping in to make updates simply because she can. Tasks that once caused stress are now quick, simple, and even a little fun.
Saving Time and Money
The financial impact has also been dramatic. By cutting out contractors, SEO vendors, and a tangle of WordPress plugins, The Jung Center now saves over $20,000 annually.
“The ability for us to do this in-house resulted in huge financial savings,” Davis said. Those savings free up resources for programs, staff, and the community.
A Better Experience for Everyone
The website is also easier to use for visitors. Pages are consolidated, navigation is cleaner, and the entire site is fully optimized for mobile users.
Most telling of all: when the new site launched, there was no wave of complaints.
“When you go live with a new site, I usually spend a month waiting for complaints,” Davis said. “This time? Silence. And silence is wonderful.”
Lessons Learned
For Davis, one of the biggest takeaways from the process was learning how to prioritize. In past redesigns, the team often felt like they had to fight for every single detail. This time, they approached things differently.
“It’s about knowing what is a must-have and a nice-to-have, and being willing to compromise with the trust that the Neon Websites team will do their very best to get you what you want and need.“
– Elissa Davis, Director of Internal Operations, The Jung Center
That mindset made the entire process smoother. Instead of getting bogged down in the small stuff, the team focused on the essentials: user experience, mobile optimization, and integration with Neon CRM. The rest could evolve over time.
Equally important was realizing that technical expertise wasn’t a barrier. Davis is candid about her own lack of web design background and how freeing it felt to discover she didn’t need one.
“Truly, there’s no experience required. I was asking all the really [dumb] questions, and the team answered every single one of them in a way I could understand.”
– Elissa Davis, Director of Internal Operations, The Jung Center
A Website That Works
For The Jung Center, Neon Websites wasn’t just a redesign, it was a turning point. What used to be a stressful, expensive process is now manageable, intuitive, and even enjoyable. Staff feel confident making updates, visitors enjoy a smoother experience, and the organization saves tens of thousands of dollars each year.
Most importantly, the website now reflects the same welcoming, accessible spirit that defines The Jung Center itself. It has become a tool that supports their mission instead of holding it back. If you’re ready for a simpler, easier-to-manage website like The Jung Center, explore what Neon Websites can do for you.
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